2018 Holden Commodore: what’s different

Holden Commodores being based on Opel models isn’t a new thing, with the much loved Australian car having German DNA ever since the VB Commodore first rolled off the production line in 1978.

But this fifth-generation Holden Commodore will be the first wholly designed and built by GM’s German arm and while it will have a Commodore badge and a strong family resemblance, there will be plenty of differences to the current VF Commodore model (pictured below)

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• Drivetrain: The most obvious difference is the front-wheel-drive powertrain for lower spec models. If you want power to the back wheels there will be an AWD in the range topping V6 variant.
  
  
• Engines: The VF Commodore’s 3.0- litre V6 and 6.2-litre V8s will be replaced by 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol and diesel engines and an updated version of the current 3.6-litre V6 which will have 10 percent more power and cylinder deactivation. Power to the front wheels means for the first time Commodore’s engines will point east west.

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• Transmissions: There will be no manual version of the new Commodore. The automatic transmissions will include a nine-speed version.
• Shape: The 2018 Commodore will have a liftback tailgate instead of a boot but will still have its three-box sedan shape.
• Weight: Built on GM’s new E2XX platform it will be 200-300kg lighter than the VF Commodore.

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• External size: While smaller than the VF Commodore the 2018 version is still about the same size as the sleeker third-generation VT-VZ (1997-2006) models. At 4899mm x 1863mm it will 74mm shorter, 36mm narrower than the VF and its 2829 wheel base is 86mm shorter.
• Interior space: Shoulder room is 58mm less than the VF with 44mm less hip room. The sweeping roofline cuts rear headroom by 13mm but they’ll have a better view. The boot space will be considerably larger.